back home again :)

My Mom, Yvonne, went with me to the Wilton, CT folk art show this past weekend. It was a 12 hour drive and I didn't get tired once...must have been the good company! Friday, Mom and I had time to kill before we could set up the booth, so we used the GPS to find what interesting things there were to do and see in the Wilton, Connecticut area. Our first stop was the Maritime aquarium.

After a few hours at the aquarium, we searched for parks.....we wanted to see the ocean! It was cold and windy as you can tell by my Mom's picture below.

We ate lunch at the Bear Grill.....great food and atmosphere.  Then off to the Wilton High School to set up the booth.

Mom and I had a wonderful time together on this trip! We shared many many laughs and made memories we both will treasure for a lifetime. I am so blessed to have such a kind, sweet and fun-loving Mother...she is beautiful inside and out! Thanks Mom for going with me to CT and for making the show so much fun.

Wilton CT tomorrow!

"He Will Sustain You"

16" x 20" acrylic on cradled board

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

Mom and I are headed out tomorrow morning for the Wilton, Ct show! Praying for a safe and successful trip! I have never been to this show but have always heard great things about it. I have also never been to Connecticut (neither has Mom), so it will be an adventure for us. One thing I know for sure is that we will enjoy our time together and share many laughs! I will be sure to take lots of photos to share upon our return. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend :)

november give away

I thought this was fitting for the November give away. Heritage Lace makes these beautiful lace wall hangings. You can see their website here.

Here's how to enter.....spread the word! Repost, repost, repost! You can either repost to your blog or post my give away on your facebook page with a link to my blog. Once you have reposted, just let me know and I will enter your name in the drawing :) Thanks to all of you who enter........oh, and if someone sees your repost and enters the drawing, as long as they mention your name, I will enter you twice!!

Good Luck!

drum roll please.....

the October give away winner(s) are........

Cathy Eichorn Trombley

and

Mary Dissmore

If you are a follower of my blog you will recognize Cathy's name......this is the third month in a row that her name has been drawn!!!!  My husband, once again, said, "well you can't do that, draw another name." I replied, once again, "she won fair and square."  (Cathy must put a special mojo on her entry ;)

So, in order to give someone else a chance, I drew another name. Congratulations to Cathy and Mary!! You both won boxed Christmas cards!!

who knew???

Tomorrow is National Deviled Egg Day!!!!

photo from www.incredibleegg.org

So while making my after-workout-omelette this morning, I was watching the Rachel Ray show and she mentioned that November 2nd is National Deviled Egg Day...much to my surprise and delight!! Everyone in our house absolutely adores deviled eggs. I can remember growing up, my brother and I would dang near come to blows over the last deviled egg!!

So I want to start by sharing a tip from the RR show about how to boil the perfect egg EVERY time...so she claims. If you are like me, I would make deviled eggs more often if they peeled nice n' easy. Can't wait to try this tomorrow. Put the eggs in cold water, slowly bring to a roaring boil. Remove pot of eggs from heat, cover and let sit for exactly 10 minutes (set a timer!). Then drain the hot water and shake the pot a bit to crack the shells before putting cold water in the pot (this is the part that must do it, because I never heard of it and it make sense). She said the cold water will get inside the shell and help them to peel better. So there you have it!!

I also took a little time to look up a yummy deviled egg recipe for you to try if you want something different......tbh (acronym for "to be honest"....I'm learning from the young ones in my life) I don't know if I will do all the eggs like this tomorrow because my boys LOVE the way I prepare them and sometimes don't welcome change.

BACON & CHEDDAR DEVILED EGGS

What You Need

14 HARD-BOILED EGGS

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1-1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon

1/4 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz.)

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives OR green onion tops

Here's How

1. CUT eggs lengthwise in half. REMOVE yolks to medium bowl. RESERVE 24 white halves. Finely CHOP remaining 4 white halves.
2. MASH yolks with fork. ADD mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and pepper; mix well. ADD chopped egg whites, bacon, cheese and chives; mix well.
3. SPOON 1 heaping Tbsp. yolk mixture into each reserved egg white half. REFRIGERATE to blend flavors.

(recipe from incredible edible egg website)

ENJOY!

halloween decor

Yay, I did it!!! Not quite as extensively as I could have but the house is lookin' very Halloweenish ;) I still have a lot of pieces that didn't make the cut this year and I didn't take pictures of everything that I put out this year (gotta save stuff for next year's blog post, right?) but I am sharing some of my faves. I hosted a Mary Kay party last night and took the entire day off to clean and make food. I was so mad at myself this morning when I realized I didn't take pictures during the party or of the delicious food that I made and my wonderful friends made...all displayed in Halloween dishes! Oh well, like I said...save some stuff for next year's post, lol!

I can't forget to show you Buster and Daisy sporting their Halloween bandannas. They were groomed yesterday for the party.....they enjoyed the guests too.....although by the looks of Buster, he must have gotten into the wine!

Last but most importantly, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite sweet treats that my dear Grandma Terry use to make. Hello Dollies were just one of the delicious treats Grandma showered us with when we went to visit her. It was also one of the many hors d'oeuvres last night. (I even ate a couple this morning with my coffee!)  Another down home Missouri recipe.........

Hello Dollies
by Grandma Terry

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I just use the entire bag)

1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)

1 can (15 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Melt butter in 9 x13 pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs, coconut, choc chips and nuts on top and in the order given. Pour milk over all. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Enjoy!

happy 74th

Happy Birthday! We love you Dad!

We celebrated my Dad's 74th birthday with a delicious dinner and a yummy coconut cake (& pumpkin pie, too!!). My Mom went all out! Of course while eating seconds of EVERYTHING, I remembered there would be dessert........as you can imagine I was stuffed!!! Speaking of stuffed....I want to share with you my Aunt Marsha's crock pot stuffing recipe which was on the menu for Dad's birthday.....it is THE MOST amazing comfort food on the planet!!

CROCK POT DRESSING

(I always say "stuffing" instead of "dressing"......must be a northern vs. southern thang)

2 or three chicken breasts, boiled and chopped

1 small pan corn bread, crumbled

2 to 3 cups chicken broth

4 eggs

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 onion chopped

1 cup chopped celery

1 stick butter (or enough to took onion & celery in)

4 slices of bread, crumbled

1 Tbsp sage or poultry seasoning

salt & pepper to taste

Saute onion & celery in butter. Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased crock pot. Cook on high for 30 minutes. Stir & cook on low 3 to 4 hours. Moist & Delicious!! (thank you, Aunt Marsha)

3 out 4....

"Do for Yourself"

18"x 24" acrylic over collaged papers

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

So my goal this week was to paint 4 acrylic paintings.......3 out of 4 isn't too shabby. Above is just one of the three I painted......a good ole' Abraham quote again. This is a quote we all need to live by and I find it a good one to remember as a Mom. I find satisfaction in doing things for my children (now 18 and 13)....I can't help it.....but it is more than satisfaction, it is a natural instinct of wanting to take care of them, nurture them, make their life easy and enjoyable. I've been doing it since they were born and the transition from "doing for them" to "doing for themselves" is not an easy one, but I'm workin' on it :)

it WILL happen......

No Halloween decorations as of yet!!! I have been busy every night....including tonight (quilt class with Mom and Renee). Seems almost ridiculous at this late date to even put out Halloween decorations! However, I must, and here is the reason....well reasons.....1) I didn't decorate the past two years because of being "too busy" and I have some awesome Halloween decorations! I miss seeing them!! 2) Our boys (ages 18 and 13) are getting older and some day (sniff, sniff) will be out on their own and I want them to have fond memories of the holidays 3) I am having a Mary Kay party next Friday and would be great fun to have the house all decked out!!  Good reasons, right?!?!? 

So this weekend somewhere amongst the laundry, house cleaning, cooking, developing classroom projects for the school's auction dinner and studying for Sunday evening's Edge youth group meeting I WILL decorate!  Oh, and now that I posted it here for all the world to see......consider it done :)

another grungy halloween

"All Hallows Eve"

10x10 acrylic on cradled board

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

I love painting Halloween images....and I am really lovin' the grungy process on my last two paintings. Now I just need to take the time to get our house in the Halloween spirit!! I am so late with decorating this year! I plan to start tonight just doing little by little each night til it's done.....I am hoping by the weekend it is finished. I will share photos when I am done :)

lovin' some grungy primitive.....

"Merry Halloween"

10x10 acrylic on cradled board

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

Ok, blogger friends.......those of you who follow my blog can see that my art is all over the place!! I use to worry about this.....thinking maybe I should be more focused on a "look" or "style". As far back as I can remember, I have loved all kinds of art. I can appreciate different mediums.... oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, collage, mix media and different styles......landscape, portrait, whimsical, primitive, realism, etc. It only makes sense that I like to dabble in all different kinds of art as well.

One of my favorite things to do is visit art galleries. It's a delight for the eyes...... I stand in front of a painting for several minutes to look at the brush strokes and detail, just soaking it all in while everyone else is moving on. Recently, while on our anniversary trip, Kevin and I were visiting a gallery in Sutton's Bay and we were admiring a talented artist's versatility. He painted in different mediums and in a few different styles.....all done very well. It made me feel more at ease with the fact that I do the same thing.....so now instead of feeling like I should focus on a specific "look", I am embracing my versatility. 

look who's 50.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND

& BEST FRIEND!!

Kevin celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday surrounded by family. He never wants the traditional birthday cake so I make his favorite...pumpkin pie! We also had apple crisp......so yummy! We shared many laughs due to the funny "over the hill" type cards and just enjoyed each other's company.

Here's to another 50!!

blessings to ewe....

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

Another fun Christmas pattern done! I LOVE sheep and this lil' guy is so darling sporting his winter hat. This punchneedle actually could stay out all winter.... it doesn't "scream" Christmas, right? Available at my website. Also, just a head's up,  I asked Rich to make some of these little cutting boards (pictured above) to attach your finished punchneedle to......that seems to be the question I often hear......what do I do with my finished pieces? 

Here is my "finishing" routine......I trim the extra weaver's cloth leaving approximately 3/4", then put fabric glue around the back edge of the punchneedle. Start with the corners and fold them at a diagonal,  hold until it "sticks", then fold over the four sides. Next, I put a piece of plastic, such as a ziploc bag, on top of it and place something heavy on it so it dries flat. I usually let it dry or several hours......then using a permanent marker, I color the edge of the weaver's cloth that will be showing when you adhere it to your wood, purse, etc.  Most of the time a black permanent marker will work but if not, I try to match the marker to the color of the last punched row of floss.

There are other ways to finish the edge but this works very well and it the easiest way I have found to finish a piece. Finally, using the fabric glue again, I cover the back of the punchneedle with lines of glue along the edge of the piece and center as well **Be careful not to get too much glue toward the edge as it can squeeze out and will show.....not a good look** Then flip the piece right side up and center it on your substrate whether it is a wood cutting board, antique butter paddle, cradled board (available at Dick Blick), felted purse, a piece of wool (then frame without glass), etc. Again, place something heavy on it until it dries, and viola!!! you have a beautiful finished punchneedle embroidery to display in your home or give as a gift :)

HAPPY PUNCHING!!

new wood products on Etsy

I am soooo excited to finally have Rich's wood products up on Etsy! Rich is my dear friend's nephew. He is a self-taught talented craftsman paying close attention to quality and detail. Once Rich is finished making the piece we finish them here in my studio using a special painting technique to give the piece a worn antique look. You can check them out here.

October give away

Christmas cards!!!! It's never too early to start writing out your Christmas cards.....maybe I should start now to ensure I get them all done this year!! These cards were created from my original watercolor "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" that I painted for the 2012 From the Heart calendar published by Legacy Publishing Group. You will receive 20 cards and 20 coordinating envelopes (notice how cute the envelopes are ;) in a keepsake box. In the past I have used the box to put a present inside the following Christmas. All you have to do to enter the drawing is post a comment below or on my facebook page. Good Luck! Drawing will be announced by November 1st.

Tis the season.....

©Teresa Kogut, all rights reserved

to start making Christmas gifts!!!!  Love this patriotic Santa. I tried something different this time. I randomly punched four colors of floss for the background....reminds me more of a hooked rug....which we all love, right? Adding this little guy to my website today if you are ready to get punchin'!! Click here.

Tomorrow......announcing the October give away!!!

you won't believe it!

I couldn't believe it when Ryan (my adorable son pictured above) pulled Cathy's name from the bowl!!! Cathy was the winner of the August give away as well and she won a 2012 calendar!! When I saw Cathy's name again this month, I exclaimed "Wow, she won last month!" My husband said "well, she can't win two months in a row, can she?".....my answer...."why not?" It just goes to show you that you should enter my drawings EVERY month!!! The next two months could be you :)

Thank you to all my blogger and facebook friends for entering the drawing.......I will be posting the new give away soon.

Also a big thank you to Ryan for doing the drawing...he wasn't crazy about posing for the picture........

New Patterns!!

Finally, three Halloween and one Autumn punchneedle embroidery patterns are available for purchase!! I know it is getting close to Halloween but there is still time to get your pattern and create a treat before the big day!! Your can get your pattern here.

Now, on to Christmas patterns :)

Our 23rd

My sweetheart and I spent two days in beautiful Traverse City Michigan celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. This picture was taken on the 45th parallel located on the Leelanau Peninsula.

The colors in upper Michigan are almost in full bloom.....only a couple more weeks until we see those vibrant colors here at home:)

Monday evening ominous clouds hovered over the Traverse Bay, however, the storm never hit. We had dinner at Scotts.....I highly recommend this restaurant :)

Sutton's Bay

Since we were celebrating our anniversary I thought it would be fun to see how many hearts we could find in nature....the first one was found on a tree stump.

Another one found in a heart-shaped rock among the sand, water and weeds.

The third one was a shadow that Kevin's glass made while we were having dinner at Bubbas in Traverse City......loved this place too!

Kevin noticed the heart-shaped leaves on this Morning Glory......I need to plant one of these next spring. What a beautiful vine.

The two above pictures are of the vineyards on Old Mission Point. The Traverse City area is famous for growing cherries and grapes. There are many wineries up and down both the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. Sparkling waters, panoramic hilltop views, rolling landscapes and lush vineyards make a simple drive a breath taking experience. Oh, I cannot forget to mention the many galleries peppering the quaint villages featuring amazing works of art.

Happy Anniversary, Kevin!

SEPTEMBER GIVE AWAY

It has been tooooo looong since my last post! It has been a whirl wind here! I will explain all the chaos in a later post as I am running out of time today!

Just a quick post to show you this adorable wall hanging that I am giving away this month.....with only a few days left....oops, my bad. Just post a comment here or on my facebook page to enter!! Drawing will be Oct 1...good luck :)

a true hero

Grab the kleenex box and watch this video. Glad to be able to share this amazing story with all my blogger friends. Thank you for taking the time to watch, and most of all....let us never forget.....

booth photos from harrisville show

Just a few shots of the booth from the Harrisville Michigan "Harmony Weekend" art & craft show. Next post will announce the September give away!!

labor day weekend

Hope you all had a great one! We were "up north" at the Harrisville Harmony Weekend Art and Craft Show. It was an outdoor show with 300 very talented artists and crafters. I usually do indoor shows so this was a new experience. Saturday we had thunderstorms and rain for about 4 hours but then it cleared up and ended up to be a beautiful day. Sunday the weather was perfect....75 degrees and breezy. Met many nice folks at the show, people from all over Michigan make this show an annual tradition. I did hear that the attendance was down due to the rain (there was a 50% chance of rain Sunday but it never happened) We came home Sunday after the show and worked all day Monday cleaning, doing yardwork, laundry etc. I would love to have had the day off but I must admit that I love it when the house is clean and the yard it manicured!!!! Below is a sweet lil' punchneedle I finished while at the show....getting in the halloween mood!!

Congratulations Cathy Eichorn-Trombley!!! You won a 2012 calender! You get to choose between my "Country Bears" and "From the Heart" calendar because I posted that I was giving away the "From the Heart" calendar on my blog but on my facebook page I said I was giving away the "Country Bears" calendar....sooo I thought it best to let you choose :)

Getting in the Halloween spirit already.................

Blessings,

Teresa